Chris Bailey and GearBrake win statewide KY Angels Pitch competition

This summer, the state hosted eight regional “Shark Tank”-style startup competitions. The KY Angels Regional Pitch competitions crowned eight winners who competed against each other today in Frankfort in the final showdown. The companies represented Ashland, Pikeville, Murray, Elizabethtown, Richmond, Covington, Lexington and Louisville

And it looks like Chris Bailey of GearBrake just can’t lose. He’s bringing the $5,000 prize back to Louisville.

Bailey won the regional competition for Louisville back in July. He was a member of the second class of the Velocity accelerator program. He also won both the judges’ and audience votes at the Venture Sharks competition earlier this year. GearBrake was one of EnterpriseCorps’ Hot Dozen companies. And he was accepted into the Vogt Award program, which will have its demo day — a chance for one of four teams to win $100,000 — a week from today.

All signs point to … another win?

GearBrake is a safety device for motorcycles or any manual transmission. Manual transmission vehicles can slow down to a near stop without braking. But downshifting and engine braking don’t light the brake lights signifying you’re slowing down. GearBrake uses an accelerometer to sense when the vehicle is slowing down and sends a signal to flash the brake lights. Bailey hopes GearBrake can help radically reduce rear-end collisions.